CATHOLIC CEREMONIES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 4, 24 October 1890, Page 18

CATHOLIC CEREMONIES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

In accordance with the wish of our Holy Father, and in unison with the spirit of the Church scattered throughout the world, the Catholics o f Christchurch have made a laudable effort to celebrate with fervour this second centenary of the Blessed Margaret Mary. On Tuesday last a three days' devotion was commenced, and the priests spared no effort in making the exercises preparatory to the consecration of the children a thorough success Mass was celebrated every morning, followed by a thort instruction. On Friday the retreat was brought to a close. No one with a ppark of Catholicity could have stood within the church that morning without being touched and edified at the sight presented to bis gaze. Eight hundred children were present to make their solemn act of coosecr tion, and along with them many parents anxious to assist in so beautiful a ceremony. Mass was celebrated by the Very Her. Father Aabrey, and at the Communion about 400 children approached the Holy Table, each wearing a badge of the Sacred Heart. So large a number receiving at one time was a spectacle unique in the a mate of Catholicity in Christchurch. Could the devoted priests in this life be adequately recompensed for their unwearied exertions during the retreat, and for their ungrudging and continued attendance at toe confessional, it must have been at this moment. A feeling of exultation, of pride — patdonable pride-must surely have crossed their hearts as they surveyed this result of their labours, saw this baud of communicants approach the rails with so much reverence, and in such good order. ifiven to a mere superficial observer, it would have been a pretty, an interesting Bight ; but to a Catholic it could not have been otherwise than a spectacle pregnant with meaning — .in exhibition of faith, an outpouring of love. At the conclusion of the Mass the Very Rev. Father Cummings addressed a few words to the children. He reviewed the objects of the retreat ; the meaning of the present gatheiing — the consecration of themselves to the Bacred Heart. Throughout the whole world this same solemn act of consecration was being performed. He pointed out the efficiency of this religious ceremony— dwelt upon the necessity of moulding the thoughts and feelings of children into a groove of Christian principle, of Catholic feeling and of Catholic spirit — touched upon the dangers 10 be specially apprehended in this age of rampant materialism, and of education divorced from the fount of all knowledge. The earnest preacher drew a moving pictnre of the yearning of the 8-cred Heart for the souls of the young, and of His tender wish that they should be " suffered to come unto him," . and concluded by calling oa parents to " forbid them not " by their bad example or by their carelessness and apathy in the performance of their religious duties. The must holy Sacrament was then exposed , Father Cummings being assisted by Fathers Aubrey and Melu, acting deacon and subdeacon respectively. At the conclusion of the " O Salutaris," the administrator advanced to the altar rails and read the act of consecration, which was repeated after him by the children. The church rang with the great Bound of their answering voices ; and if heartiness of enunciation may be taken as an index to spiritual fervour,

certainly the congregation present waa on the high road to perfection. To many of ua who have grown old in our waoderingß through this earthly labyrinth of disagreements and strifes, such a spectacle as this consecration presented could not but prove refreshing— Boo children, as if with one mind, moved by the same impulse, standing before their King and swearing perpetual fealty to Him, If bnt one half of these keep their promise, what an influence for good will they not exert I Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament brought the impressive ceremony to a close. A triduum was commenced the same evening in preparation for the consecration of the parish on the following Sunday. There was benediction each night, and the Confessionals were besieged by large numbers of people. On the Sunday morning over 300 people received the most holy Sacrament. There was Exposition during the day. la the evening the co nßecration of the parish was performed, and a beautiful ceremony was concluded by a procession of the B essed Sacrament and Benediction. For the decoration of the altars and tbe pretty and taatef a 1 arrangement of the flowers, the thanks of the congregation are due, on this occasion, as on many others, to tbe two iadefatigable members of the Altar Society, who week after week ungrudgingly give their services to the church.